Five themes for Future of Work Commission

The Labour Party's Future of Work Commission will focus on five core themes critical to ensuring New Zealand takes the opportunities presented by the rapid changes in working life

Speaking today at the Future of Work Conference at the Auckland University of Technology, Chair of the Commission and Labour Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson outlined the themes and structure of the Commission that will run over the next two years.

“The five work streams are: technology, security of work and income, education and training, Maori and Pasifika, and economic development and sustainability.

“Each stream will be led by relevant Labour spokespeople who will alongside business, academics, workers and community representatives to develop policy options.

“The Commission will be guided by a reference group of people with a mix of backgrounds and skills relevant to the future of work.

“There will be plenty of ways for New Zealanders to provide comment and ideas. The first is an on-line survey being launched today that will ask Kiwis to give us their experience of work – all the way from their first job through to their hopes and fears about work in the future.

“At the end of the Commission's work we want to have a programme and policies clearly mapped out to ensure there is decent work, lower unemployment, higher wages, greater economic security and high skilled and resilient workers.

“Labour has always been the party of work and workers. The nature of work is changing and we must stay ahead of developments to provide the leadership New Zealand needs. The Future of Work Commission is a critical contribution to getting this right,” Grant Robertson said.

Showing 2 reactions

Gordon McShean commented
2015-02-09 21:57:24 +1300

It is unfortunate that I had to retire from routine employment after experiencing health difficulties fourteen years ago. However, although I am now 78 and “physically compromised” I maintain an interest in employment policies (you might even consider me a political "busy body), using social channels. My varied employment experience involving life in four different countries (and academic qualifications and associations relating to public service management) provide me with enough contradictory viewpoints to allow me to make occasional (but I hope enlightened) comments concerning today’s political developments and leadership. I hope you may find a reason to involve me in Commission work sometime in the future.

Ravaani Ghaemmaghamy commented
2015-02-09 17:08:03 +1300

Awesome! The future of work has really been ignored. We are still on the back foot all the time in the face of changes in technology and culture. We need a RADICAL rethink and to get on the front foot, being proactive in our thinking and planning. Aotearoa NZ is perfectly positioned to be a technological and innovative hub. We can only grow a certain amount of grass and if mining were so great for our economy, Huntly and Waihi (for example) would be wealthy, thriving towns, right? I am thrilled to hear about this new Commission. Kia ora koutou.